The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

PART II.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 229
leased from your confined situation, and permitted so
many indulgences. You.may rest assured, that I feel
myself very much interested in your welfare, and that
every exertion has been used on my part to effect
your exchange. This I have not been able to accomplish. However, from the letters, which have lately
passed between Sir William Howe and myself upon
the subject of prisoners, I am authorized to expect,
that you will return in a few days to your friends on
parole, as Major-General Prescott will be sent in on
the same terms for that purpose. Indeed, till I saw
Major Williams last night, I supposed that he had arrived either at New York or Rhode Island, having
directed his releasement as soon as I was at liberty
to do it. I will take the earliest opportunity to recomnmend to your friends, Mr. Nourse and Mr. White, the
care of your farm.
Your request to Major Morris, in favor of Mrs. Battier, reached me only last night. I wish I had been
informed of it sooner. I have enclosed a passport for
her to Major Morris, and I doubt not but he will do
every thing in his power to accommodate a lady, from
whose husband you have received so many civilities.
I am, dear Sir, with great esteem and regard, &c.
condition is much bettered. It is now five days that I am on my parole.
I have the full liberty of the city and its limits; have horses at my
command furnished by Sir Henry Clinton and General Robertson; am
lodged with two of the oldest and warmest fiiends I have in the world,
Colonel Butler and Major Disney of the forty-third regiment; with the
former I was bred up from the age of nine years at school; the latter
is a commilito from the time I entered the service in the forty-fourth.
In short, my situation is rendered as easy, comfortable, and pleasant as
possible, for a man who is in any sort a prisoner. I have nothing left to
wish for, but that some circumstance may arise, which may make it convenient for both parties, that a general exchange may take place, and
I among the rest reap the advantage. Give my love to all my friends,
particularly to Greene, Mifflin, Reed, and Morgan, and be persuaded that
I am most sincerely and devotedly yours." - December 30th.
VOL. V. T